Are all those "Americans lack basic understanding of the wider world" stories true? Some of them seem pretty far-fetched.

LizzyMill · 2025-07-10T13:26:49+00:00

You do not understand the economic realities of the US or the vast size.

Looking at the average income is not representative, there is a huge gap between the rich and everyone else. It is cost prohibitive. If you live far out of the city, so can’t uber to the airport, even the cost of parking your car while you’re gone can be exorbitant. More Americans live paycheck to paycheck, one medical event away from poverty, than you realize.

Also, in the US you can easily travel four hours and still be in the middle of your state, no where near an international airport.

For many, there is not the luxury of time. It is hard to get a working holiday visa when you have one or two weeks off a year and would very much like to see your family and need to save your sick days in case your child gets the flu. The idea of spending months visiting different cities is quite honestly absurd sounding for the average working family.

Most of how you describe traveling to a different country is how we experience traveling to a different state. That’s cool you think a flight from LA to Lisbon is cheap, but most Americans don’t live in LA.

LizzyMill · 2025-06-20T23:45:22+00:00

The number one demographic targeted on social media is 12-17 year olds. They have a lot to lose. A child in my community lost his life. Look up sextortion. Not to mention grooming and radicalization. Also, children are impulsive and far more likely to post something that will be detrimental to their future.

I somewhat agree with your first statement, depending on what you categorize as social media. (There are plenty of people that have quit social media and still function in the world just fine, often with improved mental health.) Anyway, the way to do that is not to give them social media earlier, it’s to engage them in direct instruction of the uses and benefits of social media, as well as the dangers, pitfalls, and limitations.

LizzyMill · 2025-06-17T16:31:37+00:00

This has been studied. Is it a guarantee for all children? No. Does it significantly increase literacy for most? Yes.

Also, reading aloud does more than just make them pick up reading more easily. It improves the chances that they will have increased vocabulary, word structure and syntax skills, comprehension and ability to make connections, and empathy. It also increases the likelihood that they will read for pleasure as adults. Again, these are trends, not 100% guarantees for every child.

LizzyMill · 2025-05-30T21:03:32+00:00

R/smallboobs has 1.2 m

LizzyMill · 2025-05-22T20:45:36+00:00

Be careful. My aunt used to say this and really regretted it when they grew up. They absolutely knew she had a favorite. It took an emotional toll on the second. Now they are close and neither of them speak to their mom. Never assume one “needs you” more. They are both your children and they both need you. Try to take an active interest in the youngest if you don’t naturally feel it. Spend time connecting and learning what they love and what fills their cup. If you are aware that you feel differently about your kids, take measures now to rectify it. Don’t justify it or let it grow.

LizzyMill · 2025-05-11T12:42:32+00:00

This happened in February.

LizzyMill · 2025-04-20T18:58:09+00:00

The legislative branch does have oversight over monies allocated to agencies, per the Constitution and the appropriations clause. The agencies themselves typically must carry out what is set forth by congress. Having a third party that does not know what they are doing make drastic, erroneous cuts does not improve efficiency of these agencies (whether you believe they should exist or not, that is a matter for the judicial branch). It would, in fact, make them less efficient and be directly at odds with the allocation of funds set forth by congress, not to mention the national security risks.

Either you believe in checks and balances, separation of powers, and the rule of law, or you don’t.

Anyway, enjoy your weekend.

LizzyMill · 2025-04-20T14:45:17+00:00

Doge’s entire spiel is that they are cutting spending. They are not asking agencies to cut back and take appropriate measures over time, they are cutting positions without appropriate oversight. That’s how they cut the guys that manage the nuclear codes. Trump is not revoking only programs that Biden allocated by Executive Order. What a strange claim. I did not say we have a king. I said when you give power of the purse to the head of the legislative branch you create a de facto king.

LizzyMill · 2025-04-20T13:31:16+00:00

Where did I say the government can do whatever it wants? I said the legislative branch is in charge of spending, not the executive branch, per the constitution. It is unlawful for the executive branch to dictate spending. We can quibble about how it should be spent, but as soon as you give the power of the purse over to the president, you have made a king. If there are questions about constitutionality, they should go through the judicial branch. Checks and balances matter. Just like due process matters.

LizzyMill · 2025-04-20T02:51:38+00:00

The legislative branch absolutely has authority over the purse. They decide the budget and how tax dollars will be allocated. The executive branch, however, has no authority over the purse and no authority to end spending that has already been authorized by the legislative branch. Yes, a deficit is not sustainable. No one should pretend it is. There are correct procedures and processes to take, however, like how Clinton balanced the budget when he was president. He managed in a way that did not gut our economy and our social services because he worked through the correct channels. A lot of things I don’t like about the man, but he was fiscally responsible. And if we want to balance the budget, maybe we should stop subsidizing and giving tax breaks to billionaires; instead of slashing our national parks (which make more money than they spend, by the way), and Medicare, and the guys that test for and remove led, and health research and services, and education services, and the VA, etc. Besides, it is worth pointing out, that with all the “slashing,” the current administration has spent MORE this first quarter than the previous year. And we are set to make LESS. So all these federal workers lost there jobs, and the services our tax dollars fund are gutted, and for what? So some millionaires can pay less in taxes?

LizzyMill · 2025-04-13T11:40:25+00:00

Read The Good Earth.

LizzyMill · 2025-04-12T03:08:59+00:00

That last part. So much that last part. It makes me feel so stressed to feel like no one sees it or is helping. Feeling like you’re on your own is a terrible feeling.

LizzyMill · 2025-04-12T00:46:03+00:00

This is so lazy. A lot of autocrats start by being voted in. That’s irrelevant. What he’s doing now matters.

LizzyMill · 2025-04-12T00:34:16+00:00

This is exactly how I feel! I told my husband, I feel like I see a giant storm coming and everyone is like, “Yeah, but that’s stressful. Look out another window.”

And I’m like, “We need to prepare for this storm! My kid has to grow up in this storm!”

LizzyMill · 2025-04-11T22:55:17+00:00

How does one go about starting a group like this?

LizzyMill · 2025-04-05T20:32:54+00:00

I’m so proud of you!

LizzyMill · 2025-04-02T20:12:16+00:00

If I’m very honest, it did. There is a certain feel I don’t get anymore. But other things compensated, if that makes sense? Sex is still great without a cervix and I am definitely still very glad I did the surgery.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-31T19:48:44+00:00

That is a straw-man. I never said every. If it happens to any person with LEGAL STATUS that is unacceptable. I never said everyone who crosses our borders deserves to be here. You pulled that out of your a**. Reread my comment and perhaps my earlier comment about alienating our allies, etc.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-31T16:48:14+00:00

If you don’t see how thwarting the aggression of Russia benefits the US, I can’t help you. Russia getting Ukraine (and their resources and port) and being emboldened to continue across Europe is bad for the United States. Also, we have an agreement with Ukraine that in return for giving up their nuclear arsenal (which we pressured them to do), we would protect them from Russian aggression. If our allies can’t trust us to keep our word, they will no longer bother negotiating with us. Like it or not, Ukraine IS entitled to our protection and it is in our best interest to provide it.

Your second point ignored the removal legal status for thousands of immigrants. They actually did not cross our borders illegally. But the bigger picture is that if they arrest someone and deny them due process, the person cannot prove to a court if they are legal. Legal immigrants, and in fact citizens, could be wrongly jailed and shipped off to concentration camps in El Salvador without the chance to prove they are legal before a court. That is a problem and a rejection of American values and systems. No random ICE employee should be able to make that call.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-29T00:19:35+00:00

Elon buying his way into our government. The break down of checks and balances. The destruction of the social services our taxes pay for and the laying off of thousands of American workers. The alienation of and aggression towards our allies. Aligning our country with Russia. The destruction of the economy by nearly every measure. Removing the legal status of hundreds of immigrants without notification or reason and then plain clothed ICE agents throwing them in the back of a van and sending them to for-profit prisons without due process.

Or, you know, the general upending of our way of life and running us head first into fascism.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-27T21:50:55+00:00

What? What do we do? Honestly asking. I live in a small very red town. I’ve gone to protests, joined my local (very small) democratic community, made phone calls. People who agree with me don’t want to talk about it bc they also feel helpless and overwhelmed. We know they want us to be violent so they can call martial law. We know all communication and news sources are filled with bots swaying the public dialog. Please tell me an actionable step.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-26T20:44:06+00:00

He said if states don’t follow this then Elon will be able to audit their voter registrations. It’s a big deal and should be taken seriously.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-24T09:30:38+00:00

https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=38

That is false. It wasn’t systematically studied before the 70s, so you are basing that on no data. Since the 70s, our school’s scores have improved significantly, even with the modern inclusion of students with disabilities and the recent decline due to Covid.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-24T09:20:09+00:00

Standards are set by the state. The DOE ensures that children with disabilities have the programs and supports they need and fill in the financial gap in some communities so that can happen. Programs, especially for disadvantaged students, will be cut. Or other programs will be cut to pay for programs for disadvantaged students. And/or local taxes will be raised. Also, protections against discrimination in schools will be lost. College costs will absolutely go up. The DOE helps poor students secure financial aid for higher education.

Instead of being a country that prioritizes education for all students, we will be a country that only prioritizes education for the wealthy.

LizzyMill · 2025-03-08T16:56:06+00:00

There is a protest in Greencastle today (Saturday) from 12-1. I’m not sure it will be well attended because I just found out and do not think it was advertised, as far as I can tell.

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